CHURCHTOWN and Crossens could become a “Post Office-free zone” if the Government presses ahead with changes to the network’s card account, warns a local councillor.

Crossens and Preston New Road branches could be threatened with closure if the Post Office Card Account (POCA) contract is awarded to a rival firm, believes Meols ward councillor John Dodd.

A petition against the potential switch has now been launched by The National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP).

That body says up to 3,000 post offices could be in the firing line if the POCA contract is awarded to a rival later this summer.

More than four million people use the card to access their benefits at the Post Office each week.

Cllr Dodd said: “I believe that the local Post Office is best placed to continue to provide this service.”

Of the NFSP’s stark prediction, he added: “This could mean Crossens and Preston New Road Post Offices in the area I represent could close, like the Manor Road Post Office in Churchtown, which closed in May. Meols ward could become a Post Office-free zone.”

Southport’s MP John Pugh told the Midweek Visiter he had been contacted by several local postmasters concerned about their prospects if the POCA is lost from the network.

The Liberal Democrat politician said that the recent closure of two of Southport’s post offices is already having an effect, with customers regularly facing long queues at the main branch on Lord Street.

Dr Pugh urged support for the NFSP petition saying: “Too often in these situations campaigns start only after the decisions have been made. It’s vital that people start putting pressure on the Government now, in order to let them know that they won’t stand for their Post Offices being hung out to dry.”